Politics

NC Senate Votes on $21.2 Billion Budget

Included are increased funding for kindergarten though college classrooms, and an additional $186 million for a Medicaid contingency reserve.

Mary C. Curtis Talks Same Sex Marriage Ruling In VA Affects Politics in NC

A step forward for supporters of same sex marriage. North Carolina officials say they will stop defending the amendment that bans this kind of union.

U.S. Announces New Sanctions Against Russian Economy

President Obama announced new sanctions against Russia as fighting flares up between Russian-supported rebels and the Ukraine army.

Report: Russia Moving More Powerful Weapons Into Ukraine

The move comes as Ukrainian officials say they are seeing artillery attacks coming from Russian territory.

FAA Lifts Flight Ban to Israel

Some lawmakers in Washington accuse the Obama administration of using the ban to impose an economic boycott of Israel.

Residents Protest Proposed I-77 Toll Lane

A large crowd at the Cornelius town hall proved people are not happy about toll lanes on I-77. The NC DOT says the hot lanes from uptown Charlotte to Mooresville would ease congestion and create jobs.

FAA Bans Flights To Israel After Rocket Attack Near Airport

The Federal Aviation Administration has banned US carriers from flying to Israel for at least 24 hours after a rocket attack near the airport in Tel Aviv.

New Report: No Evidence of Russian Involvement in Malaysia Airlines Crash

US intelligence officials say there is no direct evidence to show Russia provided the missile. Meantime, the black boxes from Flight 17 are now in the hands of Malaysian officials.

Bill Capping Sales Tax Rate Heads to NC Senate

A plan to cap North Carolina's sales tax rate at 2.5 percent is headed to the full Senate. If it passes, it could impact raises for teachers in Charlotte-Mecklenburg.

Travel Warning for Americans in Israel

The US is warning Americans not to travel near the Israeli crisis. Secretary of State John Kerry was in Cairo Monday, calling for a cease-fire. A shelling at a hospital in Gaza killed at least five people inside.

Bodies of Flight MH-17 Victims Turned Over to Dutch Authorities

Train cars full of bodies rolled away from the Malaysia Airlines Flight 17 impact site Monday. Meanwhile, President Obama is pressuring Vladimir Putin to allow international investigators full access to the site.

Israel Invades Gaza Strip

Israel has invaded the Gaza strip, escalating a 10-day military campaign against Gaza's Hamas rulers. Another 18,000 reserve soldiers are on standby.

Officials: Radar Tracked Surface-to-Air Missile at Time of Malaysia Air Crash

One local terrorism expert says what happened Thursday sets a terrible precedent within the Ukraine/Russia conflict.

Sexual Harassment Allegations Sway District Attorney Vote

The election results are in and some voters turned on Jay Gaither after a former employee sued him last month for sexual harassment.

Cease Fire Fails in Middle East

Hours after Israel agreed to an Egyptian peace deal, Hamas militants fired more than 40 rockets into Israel. One rocket hit an empty school.

Immigration Crisis Could Reach Charlotte

The immigration court in Charlotte has a smaller load compared to larger cities, but that might change without action from Washington.

Gov. Rick Perry Visits Rock Hill

Texas Governor Rick Perry made a stop in Rock Hill Wednesday to talk job creation and economic development. He was joined by South Carolina congressman Mick Mulvaney.